Bake Oven proves toys are us
Next year at Christmas, parents will be able to buy an EasyBake Oven that doesn come in pink and purple. And for that we have McKenna Pope of Garfield to thank.
The 13yearold circulated a petition that collected more than 40,000 signatures to get toy manufacturer Hasbro to create the EasyBake Oven in genderneutral colors and to use boys in their ads, too. Famous chefs like Bobby Flay got on board. The new EasyBake Oven will be black, silver and blue. And boys will be featured in the ads.
McKenna motivation was her 4year old brother Gavyn, who expressed a desire for the oven but also said he knew "only black friday uggs girls" played with it. McKenna is to be commended for demanding Hasbro reflect the way we play now. It also encouraging to know kids are capable of being more than passive consumers, eager to get the latest iPhone, Ugg boot or Furby because, well, everyone has one. We need more questioning consumers like McKenna, of all ages, .
How did Hasbro miss the explosion of cooking shows on cable TV, where men and women slice and dice together, or fashion shows, where sewing and design appeal to both sexes? The lines are ever more blurred between "girl" ugg black friday sale and "boy" interests. And that as it should be.
For many Baby Boomers, it a shock to know that EasyBake Oven, introduced in 1963, is still on store shelves. What other totems of a 1960s childhood could be transformed, if only they were still around? It too late for a Ms. Machine, Mr. Cookie Kitchen, Little Stevie Homemaker products or Rock Sock GirlBots.
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